Palmer Invitational has small field, big purse
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is now one of the signature events on the PGA Tour, meaning this weekend’s PGA Tour event has a $20 million purse with one of the strongest fields of the year on a tough golf course at Bay Hill that rarely produces surprise winners.
In other words, it’s the same as last year, only with a lot fewer players.
The eligibility for these signature events was projected to be 70 to 80 players. Bay Hill has 69 (Tony Finau chose not to play), the smallest field yet. And that includes North Carolina junior David Ford, who earned a spot based on his play in the Palmer Cup last year.
An elite field, yes. And the smallest ever at Bay Hill.
“Right now it just feels a little bit more quiet at the event,” Viktor Hovland said.
It’s so small that Nick Dunlap, who in January became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour in 33 years, will be starting the tournament as a single. The rest of the field will be in twosomes, one of many perks for the players.
More golf
Future winners of the British Open will get five fewer years of guaranteed entry to the tournament. Beginning with this year’s winner, players winning The Open will be exempt until only the age of 55, not 60 as has been the guide. The change will not affect winners prior to this year.
Media
As the NBA heads into its stretch run, KDKA+ has added five Cleveland Cavaliers regular-season games to its TV lineup. The games are: Friday vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.; March 20 vs. Miami, 7 p.m.; March 29 vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.; April 6 vs Los Angeles Lakers, 3:30 p.m.; and April 7 vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 3:30 p.m.
Pro football
The Washington Commanders are signing veteran tight end Zach Ertz, according to a person with knowledge of the move. Ertz, 33, has caught 745 passes for 48 touchdowns in a career that began in 2013.
• The Buffalo Bills’ salary cap-related purge of players continues as the team informed veteran safety Jordan Poyer and defensive back Siran Neal that they are being cut a week before the start of the NFL’s free agency signing period.
•After all six of his NFL seasons with the team, the Philadelphia Eagles are releasing starting slot cornerback Avonte Maddox. Maddox, a fourth-round pick out of Pitt in 2018, had developed into one of the better nickel backs in the league.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., a day before he was supposed to play his first official match in two months. On the court, Andy Murray won his opening match, beating David Goffin 63, 6-2. On the women’s side, Angelique Kerber also won her first match. She is back on tour after taking time away to start a family.